HCV-related advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis: randomized controlled trial of pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin.

In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, 30% of sustained HCV clearance has been reported with pegylated interferon alpha-2a (PEG-IFN) alone, but the efficacy and tolerability of the PEG-IFN/ribavirin (RBV) combination remain poorly defined. A total of 124 treatment-naïve patients with biopsy proved HCV-related advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis (Ishak score F4-F6, Child-Pugh score < or =7) were randomized to 48 weeks of PEG-IFN (180 microg sc weekly) and standard dose of RBV (1000/1200 mg po daily, STD) or PEG-IFN (180 microg sc weekly) and low-dose of RBV (600/800 mg po daily, LOW). Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates with PEG-IFN/STD RBV (52%) were higher--albeit not significantly--than that with PEG-IFN/LOW RBV (38%, P = 0.

[Epidemiology of gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly].

The epidemiological pattern of gastrointestinal bleed in western countries has been steadily changing over the last few years given the rising prevalence of an elderly population. In a one year prospective study at a referral hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, hospitalised patients were investigated with regards to the epidemiology of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Of 7406 hospitalisations, a total number of 224 GI bleeds were registered (53% women, mean age 71 +/- 16, 63% with relevant co morbidities).

Single hemicerclage for lateral type B malleolar fracture--a novel, minimal and reliable osteosynthesis.

Aim Of Study: To investigate the short- and long-term outcome of patients with isolated lateral malleolar fracture type B treated with a single hemicerclage out of metallic wire or PDS cord.

Methods: Over an 8-year period 97 patients were treated with a single hemicerclage for lateral malleolar fracture type B and 89 were amenable to a follow-up after mean 39 months, including interview, clinical examination and X-ray controls.

Results: The median operation time was 35 minutes (range 15-85 min).

Interferon and amantadine in naive chronic hepatitis C: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Recent controlled trials on the efficacy of an amantadine/interferon combination in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C yielded contradictory results. We therefore conducted a large, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in naive patients with chronic hepatitis C: 246 patients were randomized to receive interferon alfa-2a (6 MIU sc thrice weekly for 20 weeks, then 3 MIU sc thrice weekly) and either amantadine sulphate (2 x 100 mg p.o.